Portland man spent $1000 a day on drugs

A PORTLAND man with a $1000-a-day amphetamine habit may avoid serving time in jail despite admitting to dealing in drugs.

Daniel Walter Rayfield, 28, of no fixed address, yesterday pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to trafficking amphetamine after being caught by Portland police on Monday night with $3000 cash and 9.1 grams of amphetamine, estimated to be worth $4500 on the street.

Mr Makary told the court yesterday that Rayfield’s mobile telephone battery was flat and he had not been able to contact his client’s father who lives in Portland.

Police alleged that at 9.30pm on Monday Rayfield’s ex-girlfriend went to the Portland police station and tipped off officers that Rayfield was trafficking amphetamines.

She told police where Rayfield could be located and the exact places drugs and cash could be found on him and in his hire vehicle.

Police caught up with Rayfield in parkland along Dutton Way.

In Rayfield’s pocket officers found a small deal bag containing 3.8 grams of amphetamine. A search of his Ford Falcon sedan located three tight rolls of cash in a fuse compartment — a total of $3000.

Under the car’s centre console officers found a bag containing a number of small deal bags which held between 0.4g and 1.1g — a total of 5.3g of amphetamine. The street value of amphetamine is $500 a gram.

Rayfield told police during an interview that he had been using “ice” for nine months, that he was unemployed and couldn’t afford his habit.

Mr Makary said Rayfield had pleaded guilty at a very early stage and he deserved the maximum sentencing discount.

He said his client sold drugs to support his habit but made no personal gain from his dealings other than obtaining drugs.

“The drugs have had a disastrous impact on his life. He’s lost all his family supports, lost his friends and lost his house,” Mr Makary said.

“Essentially this is his first offence and rehabilitation has to be a the sentencing consideration.”

Ms Robertson said the primary sentencing consideration had to be denunciation of Rayfield’s criminal offending and she was concerned he had alienated his support network and had no accommodation.